Who are the Top 5 Players today?

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 25 Mar 2016 5:12 pm

I recently read another thread in which someone mentioned that
Gary Carter is certainly in the top 5 players today. I know this is very subjective, but who do you think are the top 5 players today? I would certainly include Paul Franklin and Tommy White, but there are so many other amazing players out there... Who is on your top five list?

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 25 Mar 2016 5:58 pm

I could never whittle it down to a Top-5.

Even back in "the day", there were just too many killer players to do that (e.g.Emmons, Charleton, Day, Mooney, Chalker, Green, Hughey, JD, Jim Murphy, Jernigan..................)

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 25 Mar 2016 6:33 pm

no way to mention just 5 without feeling bad about the other 50 that deserve the spots!

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 25 Mar 2016 8:11 pm

I agree with many of you about picking out five steel players whom you think are the greatest; There are so manyout-standing steelers in the business.I, for one could not pick out any five players whom I thought could fill that category. Possibly we could pick out five whom we know are making the most income from being the' Most in Demand as in the studio back up men in Nashville or other places . Or steelrs whom are spot-lighted by working with really big stars. Attending great " Steel Guitar Jamborees" such as many of us had the privelege of seeing & hearing in Dallas in early March; Made all of us realize how many fine & super pickers there are in our country & other locations in the world. I say Congratulations to every steel guitar artist whom participates at these jamborees; they all deserve a big " HATS OFF " don't you agree. You all are my favorites. Bernie Gonyea

Gary Guzzardo · Post by **Gary Guzzardo** » 26 Mar 2016 4:07 am

Just 5 ??? I can think of 50 or better ..

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 26 Mar 2016 5:08 am

I would think that the top five would be able to play both necks, different styles and have speed as well. I will say Doug Jernigan has to be one of the very best of all time. I also love to hear a Texas player in Steve Palousek. Steve plays things I do not hear other players play. Top five players? It would be just a matter of opinion.

Justin Griffith · Post by **Justin Griffith** » 26 Mar 2016 5:24 am

Paul King wrote:I would think that the top five would be able to play both necks, different styles and have speed as well. I will say Doug Jernigan has to be one of the very best of all time. I also love to hear a Texas player in Steve Palousek. Steve plays things I do not hear other players play. Top five players? It would be just a matter of opinion.

Agree. C-6 is becoming a lost art outside of Texas. A few guys have moved here to Texas, gotten a gig, then freaked out when they learned they were expected to play a bunch of C-6.
No disrespect intended to E-9th only players. Lloyd did just fine. It depends on what you are playing. I personally dig 6th stuff a bunch.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 26 Mar 2016 6:19 am

The only question of this sort that would not be totally subjective and fodder for all sorts of "how could you not include Steely McSteelsteel!?" would be "list top 5 current session pros", as measured by volume of work.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 26 Mar 2016 8:53 am

I agree with Chris and the others. With such a broad term as "Top 5 Players, there's no way to be fair to all involved. By "top" does it mean the ones who are the best players, the most popular, the busiest, the most innovative, the best at backing a singer, the best at playing instrumentals, etc...? By "most popular" do we mean most popular session player, most popular concert player, or most popular steel show player? We all know that with every instrument, or singer, or most any profession, the most popular is not always the best, but is often perceived to be the best. Kind of chicken and egg thing.

There's so many great players out there doing so many different styles, different kinds of gigs, and so full of talent. I think that's why the true pros have so much respect for one another, because they are all different. Sometimes I get bored with hearing the same people play the same licks over and over, and then I walk into a club somewhere and there's a local band playing and a player that blows me away with their playing.

I respect the pro guys that play sessions most every day for hours and must really be pros to keep their playing fresh and not get bored and burned out. But, I also respect the guys that work a non-music job all week and rush home on Friday to load their gear and get to a show on time and are excited to play a new lick they learned during the week.... not motivated by the token $$ he'll make, but by the opportunity to play the music he loves and hang out with his buddies. These guys are often very good players too.

I won't mention names because we will not agree on the top 5, and number 6 will obviously be a great player too, but maybe have his/her feelings hurt because he wasn't mentioned. I'd say all the players are top players and most all do something I like.

RC

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 26 Mar 2016 10:10 am

My top five would be in no particular order for the top three.

1. Paul Franklin, Tommy White, an Mike Johnson.
2. Way too many to list.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 26 Mar 2016 1:30 pm

Thanks for all your comments and responses. Mike Johnson is certainly another in my personal favorite top five. It is probably too difficult to narrow down the list and pick just five. I also come across amazing players from time to time that I was not even previously aware of...

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 26 Mar 2016 4:22 pm

I've checked here a bunch of times and still haven't seen my name. Probably some clerical error.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 26 Mar 2016 4:27 pm

Dick Wood wrote:I've checked here a bunch of times and still haven't seen my name. Probably some clerical error.

It's right above mine.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 26 Mar 2016 5:35 pm

Maybe they have us at top five from bottom of the list Richard.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 27 Mar 2016 1:41 am

Lloyd Green will always be on my 1st spot.
but when looking at who is recording a lot, than Russ Pahl and Paul Franklin will be high on the list...I think.

John Swain · Post by **John Swain** » 27 Mar 2016 7:38 am

I'll play! Doug Jernigan, Paul Franklin, Tommy White, Mike Johnson, and Buck Reid. IMHO

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 27 Mar 2016 9:09 am

Most well known: Robert Randolph
Best resume: Greg Leisz
Best Jazz player: Dave Easily
Most Innovative: Susan Alcorn
Best Looking: Will Van Horn

Joe Goldmark · Post by **Joe Goldmark** » 27 Mar 2016 11:06 am

On my Vinylbeat.com site, I listed who I thought were the 50 best steelers with pictures and links, and a bubbling under of another 50 great ones. Very subjective of course.

http://www.vinylbeat.com/album-19-50Gre ... rists.html

Joe

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 27 Mar 2016 8:00 pm

Tommy
Doug
Joe
Paul
JayDee

W. Van Horn · Post by **W. Van Horn** » 27 Mar 2016 8:25 pm

Finally, some recognition for my god-given talents!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 28 Mar 2016 10:02 am

Will Van Horn wrote:Finally, some recognition for my god-given talents!

I thought we were talking about steel guitar players.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 28 Mar 2016 5:34 pm

Some of my favorites who have not been mentioned would be Steve Hinson, Gary Carter, Milo Deering, Junior Knight, Bruce Bouton, Jim Loessberg, Dean Holman, Terry Bethel, Randy Beavers, Rick Price, Mike Headrick, and the list goes on and on and on.............................. Pick the top 5, no way!!
Jerry

Bob Ritter · Post by **Bob Ritter** » 29 Mar 2016 10:31 am

Joe, Jay Dee, Tommy, Paul, Doug,

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 29 Mar 2016 10:48 am

just to make things easier, we could start with the top 5 under 200 pounds. at least then you guys would list lloyd green.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 29 Mar 2016 11:00 am

I heard myself say to somebody after Buck Reid's set at the Dallas show that he could well be the best living steel player. Of course it's impossible and meaningless to put musicians in any who's the best order but after that set that is what came out of my mouth.....

The Steel Guitar Forum

Who are the Top 5 Players today?

Who are the Top 5 Players today?

Your most in Demand Steel Guitarists